The daughter of an elderly Queens man who was beaten to death outside his home showed surprising compassion for his killer today as the homeless veteran was sentenced to 19 years in prison.
“Your poor choices brought you here today. I’m saddened for you,” said Nicolas Nowillo’s daughter, Doris, in her victim’s impact statement, where she not only forgave Eric Cherry but asked that he get only 12 years in prison.
“He’s a human being,” she explained.
The Army vet was found guilty in April of manslaughter and assault for beating 65-year-old Nowillo in front of his helpless wife near their Long Island City home on September 3, 2008.
“This trial made me relive that night second by second, but justice was served,” said Doris, who testified during the three-week long trial and attended every day.
“You’re not the same person that was arrested that night, jail has changed you and you’ve educated yourself, I hope when you are released you will become a productive member of society and change your ways,” said Doris Nowillo.
Her dad, who was also an Army veteran, died from a heart attack after Cherry fled the scene.
“This should have never happened. It’s a shame you have led such a life,” said Queens Supreme Court Justice Gregory Lasak, who read 47-year-old Cherry’s lengthy rap sheet, which reached back to the 1990’s when he was repeatedly locked up for petty larceny and drug-related charges in Virginia and New York.
“You beat him to the ground, broke his ribs and testified that he said racial epithets to cause the argument. The jury didn’t believe you and I didn’t believe you,” said Lasak.
“I never intended for anyone to lose their life. I’m not a bad person, I’ve done some good with my life and hope to seek leniency,” said Cherry, who apologized to Nowillo’s family.
Despite the prosecutor’s request to give Cherry the maximum, 25 years in prison, the judge imposed the 19 year term, plus five years probation and $375 in fines.